*Speak Life
Speak life means sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for our sins. And reconciling us to God by his grace and through faith. But it also means encouraging one another. Always try to say things positively rather than negatively. ‘Be quiet’ is positive while ‘stop talking’ is negative. Not tearing each other down or looking for negative things to say to one another. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Pro18:21).
3 Disciplines of Speak Life
Prayerfully submit – Psalm 141:3
Pray that God will help you control your tongue and give you the words of life to speak. Not controlling our tongues can lead us into trouble (Pro21:23). Dedicate your heart and tongue to the Lord each day. We will all encounter new conversations every day. Daily submitting and admitting your need for God’s grace and discernment reminds us to be acutely aware of all your words (Ps19:14).
Plan and Practice – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Plan to say encouraging things. Think ahead and don’t just speak in the moment. Intend to say encouraging things to others. I will say three encouraging things today: one to someone I like, one to someone I don’t like, one to someone I don’t know. This set your mind to looking for opportunities to say good things (1Tim4:11-12).
Permit Accountability – Galatians 6:1-5
Permit your friends to keep you accountable and call you out when you’re being mean or saying things that are not encouraging or said in love (Pro27:17). Even more than just giving your friends permission to call you out, communicate to them that you expect them to report you (Gal6:1-5).
*Hear Grace
What you believe about what others say about you is a reflection of your relationship with God. Here is the warning of listening to man instead of God, “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
When we listen to others and believe what they say about our worth or identity versus what God says on those subjects then we are placing them above God.
Who God says we are:
- Chosen, Royal, Holy, Special, Called – 1 Pe 2:9
- Adopted Children of God, Heirs to the Kingdom – Rom 8:16-18
- Sealed by the Holy Spirit – Eph 4:30
- Hearers of the voice of God – John 10:27
- A temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor 6:19-20
- Free men and women – Gal 5:1
- A people with access to all truth, wisdom, and knowledge – Col 2:2-3
- We come boldly into the presence of the Almighty – Heb 4:16
Now does this sound like it is describing a person who would get upset because someone made a backhanded comment about their appearance? Or take offense because they were not included in a conversation. Instead we should choose to hear things in the best possible light. This is the spirit behind what is being talking about in Proverbs 15:1. By taking things maybe not even the way they were meant but in the best possible light we turn away evil. Doing this will bring shame on the transgressor and to God’s glory show us on the high road. There is an incredible amount of freedom in this too. Not having to worry about what someone meant but just taking it in the best terms means not stressing over the relationship and will teach your friends to be direct and not flippant or passive aggressive. But more often than not what you will find is that others did not mean things in the worst manner. Either way it is better to take criticism as constructive and remember you are not your flaws nor are you the sum of your sins you are who God says you are!
More scripture on Speak Life and Hear Grace: 2 Corinthians 4:13, Mark 11:22-24, Matthew 21:22 , Isaiah 55:11 , 2 Corinthians 4:18 ,Matthew 12:34-36 ,Romans 4:17, Romans 10:17 , Joshua 1:8, Hebrews 11:1-10
*Thick Skin and Tender Heart
So what do we do when we can’t hear grace in what is said. What if the intent of a comment to you was undeniably an insult?
3 Biblical Principles of Conflict
Good is more powerful than evil – Rom. 12:17-21
To fight fire with fire is a worldly response and is from a position of weakness. The only reason do this in the world is when you dont have enough water. We have a fountain that will never run out and have no need to surrender to that tactic. “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. “
God is more powerful than any offense – Rom 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:31-39
True power is not dependant but infinit – Luk 6:27-37
Act like the Heirs to the Kingdom that you are. Jesus teaches us how to act from a position of power without tyranny. He shows us how to act like Royalty. “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, “bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luk 6:27-37
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